NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Gainesville, March 17-20, for the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third event of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello season. The event is one of the most historic on the NHRA schedule and has been host to history-making runs and unforgettable moments since its debut in 1970.

Here's a quick look at some of the major storylines entering the event.

Pro Stock Motorcycle history?
High on the list of drama this weekend is the possibility of the first 200-mph pass in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, which makes its season debut at the event. Reigning world champ Andrew Hines is one of four riders to already have exceeded 199 mph, including his Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec and Lucas Oil Buell riders Hector Arana Sr. and Jr. Hector Jr. clocked the class’ fastest speed, 199.88 mph, last year in Charlotte.

Extra incentive
In Top Fuel, Leah Pritchett, the class’ most recent first-time winner after her triumph in Phoenix over Brittany Force in just the second all-female final in the class’ 800-plus-race history, will be looking for two in a row in her Quaker State/Bob Vandergriff Racing dragster. Team owner Bob Vandergriff Jr., Pritchett, and BVR teammate Dave Connolly will have extra incentive this weekend as they race with heavy hearts following the death last week of Josh Comstock, CEO of C&J Energy Services, which has sponsored the team for eight seasons.

First Funny Car three?
The Gainesville track is one of the few that has yet to see a three-second Funny Car run, and the teams are expected to take aim of Cruz Pedregon’s four-year-old elapsed time track record of 4.022 seconds. Ron Capps, who won the season opener, is the defending event Funny Car champ.

Can anyone stop the KB team?
The KB Racing Pro Stock team will be shooting for its third straight win of the season in the new-look class, which this year has adapted fuel injection as part of a new rules package. Defending event champ Greg Anderson kicked off the season with a big win in Pomona, and teammate Jason Line answered with a victory in Phoenix two weeks ago, where their third teammate, Bo Butner, was the No. 1 qualifier.

Enders seeks rebound
Two-time defending Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders will be looking to shake off a rough start to her season. The 21-time race winner has yet to win a round this year in her vaunted Elite Motorsports Camaro but does hold the track speed record at 214.69 mph.

Season debut
The event also will serve as the season-opening race for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. Troy Coughlin Sr. is the defending season champ.

Schedule
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:45 and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, March 18, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, March 19, at 12 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 20.

Track Records 
Top Fuel
3.743 seconds by Morgan Lucas, March ’12
329.02 mph by Spencer Massey, March '15

Funny Car
4.022 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, March ’15
317.12 mph by Robert Hight, March ’12

Pro Stock
6.473 seconds by Mike Edwards, March ’13
214.69 mph by Erica Enders, March ’14

Pro Stock Motorcycle
6.750 seconds by Eddie Krawiec, March ’12
199.26 mph by Krawiec, March ’11

Television
Friday, March 18, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET).
Saturday, March 19, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 6:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 20, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).

Tickets
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.